Phytochemical Analysis of Catharanthus Roseus L. (G.) DON.

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Volume-5, Issue-3, May 2018
International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology
Page Number: 1-8
Phytochemical Analysis of Catharanthus Roseus L. (G.) DON.
Keshav Khilnani1*
1
Department of Bio Chemistry, Xavier Research Foundation, Loyola Centre for Research & Development, St. Xavier’s College
Campus, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA
1
Corresponding Author: khilnani.keshav@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Catharanthus roseus is a medicinal herb found to
have two pharmaceutically important compounds viz.,
vinblastine and vincristine. The plant is found in many tropical
and subtropical regions around the world. Therefore, the yield
of these vinca alkaloids are varied at different geographical
regions depending on the climatic conditions. Being a source of
these important secondary metabolites, an extensive study has
been carried out on this plant. The plant is in high demand
worldwide due to its medicinal applications specifically the anti-
cancerous. The present research work gives an account of the
various phytochemicals derived from the plant at our selected
location. The results highlight the biotechnological prospects of
an efficient and alternative means of production of valuable
metabolites from Catharanthus roseus. The present
phytochemical investigations explore active constituents which
are very significant in drug development. The study revealed a
notable anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activity of methanolic
extract of the dry leaves of this plant.
Keywords-- Vinblastine, Vincristine, Phytochemicals,
Secondary metabolites, Methanolic extract.
I. INTRODUCTION
Catharanthus roseus(Madagascar periwinkle) is a
medicinal plant belongs to the family Apocynaceae. Though
the plant have many medicinal applications, however, due to
the colourful flowers, this plant also used as an ornamental
plant. The plant is also appreciated for its hardiness in dry
and nutritionally deficient conditions, popular in subtropical
gardens where temperatures never fall below 5 °C to 7 °C.
The plant flowers throughout the year in tropical conditions
and from spring to late autumn in warm temperate climates.
Full sun and well-drained soil are preferred by this plant. The
plant has been put to traditional use for the treatment of a
wide variety of ailments worldwide since ages [1].In
traditional Chinese medicine, C. roseus extracts have been
used to treat numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria,
and Hodgkin's disease [2]. The plant has many important
phytoconstituents which exhibits various pharmacological
activities like antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive,
antimicrobial, cytotoxic etc. Catharanthus roseus produces
two important alkaloids: vinblastine and vincristine, which
are known for the anticancer lead molecules.Extracts from
the dried or wet flowers and leaves of plants are applied as a
paste on wounds in some rural communities. The fresh juice
from the flowers of C. roseus made into a tea has been used
by Ayurveda physicians in India for external use to treat skin
problems, dermatitis, eczema and acne [3]. We have
collected the plant from our local area and screening was
done for the phytoconstituents. We have also done the
antimicrobial and antioxidant analysis of the methanolic
extract of plant leaf. Our results have good significance, as
this plant being an essential component of traditional as well
as modern pharmaceutical systems
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Preparation of Leaf Extracts:
Matured leaves of C. roseuswere collected from the
garden of Loyola Centre for Research & Development
(LCRD). Those plant leaves were washed under running tap
water to remove soil and dust particles. Then the leaves were
shaded, dried, and then powdered by using mechanical
blender and stored in air tight bottles. The powdered plant
leaves were soaked with (10g/100ml) in methanol solvent
and extraction was done using Soxhlet apparatus. The extract
was further concentrated to decrease the volume upto 50 ml
using rotatory evaporator.
Qualitative Analysis of Phytochemicals
Saponin:
To 1 ml extract 4 ml of sterile RO water was added.
The mixture was shaken vigorously. Formation of froth
confirmed the presence of saponin in it.

Tannin:
To 1 ml extract 20 ml of sterile RO water was
added. The mixture was kept on the boiling water bath for 45
min. It was shaken at regular intervals. The content was
allowed to cool down followed by filtration through
Whatman filter paper No. 1. Then 2% of Gelatine was added.
Formation of white precipitates confirmed the presence of
tannins in it.
Proanthocyanin:
2 gm of dried plant powder was taken in a test tube.
8 ml of 2N HCl was added into it. The tubes were covered
with an aluminium foil and were placed in a boiling water-
bath for 30 min. The mixture was allowed to cool down at
room temperature and then amyl alcohol (3-methyl-butan-1-
ol) was added slowly into it. The formation of a red or
carmine coloured upper layer confirmed the presence of
proanthocyanin. The formation of yellow coloured upper
layer confirms the absence of proanthocyanin.
Cardiac Glycosides:
Kellar-Killani's Test:
To 1 ml of plant extract few drops of glacial acetic
acid was added. Then 0.5 ml of 1% ferric chloride solution
was added. It was mixed well and was allowed to settle for 2-
5 min. Then concentrated sulfuric acid was added slowly
from the side of the wall of the test tube. The formation of a
brown ring at the junction confirmed the presence of
glycosides.
NaOH Test:
To 1 ml of plant extract the 1 ml NaOH solution
was added. The formation of yellow colouration confirmed
the presence of glycosides.
Flavonoid:
AlCl3 Test:
0.5 ml of concentrated crude methanolic extract
was taken. 0.5 ml of 2 % AlCl3 (in ethanol) was added. Tubes
were then kept at room temperature for about 1 hour for
colour development.
Mg Ribbon Test:
1 gm of dried plant material was taken. 10 ml of
95% ethanol was added. The mixture was then heated in
boiling water bath for 15 minutes. After cooling it at room
temperature, the content was filtered. Into the filtrate a small
piece of Mg ribbon was placed followed by addition of 2-3
drops of concentrated HCl. The formation of red colour
showed that flavonoids are present in it.
Irioides:
In 0.5 gm of dried plant powder 5 ml of aqueous
HCl was added. Then it was allowed to sediment for 3-6
hours. After sedimentation, the upper clear liquid was
decanted and collected it in a separate tube through
centrifugation. This 0.05 ml of clear liquid was mixed with
0.5 ml of Trim-Hill reagent and heated it on a flame.
Development of red colour confirmed the presence of
Irioides.
Alkaloids:
Mayer's Reagent Test:
To 1 ml of extract 1 ml of Mayer’s reagent was
added with few drop of Iodine solution. Formation of yellow
colour precipitates indicated the presence of alkaloids.
Wegner's Reagent Test:
To 1 ml of extract 1 ml of Wegner's reagent was added.
Formation of orange-red colour precipitates indicated the
presence of alkaloids.
Trim-Hill Reagent Test:
To 1 ml of extract 1 ml of Trim-Hill reagent was
added. Formation of green colour precipitates indicated the
Dragendorff's Reagent Test:
To 1 ml of extract 1 ml of dragendorff’s reagent was
added. Formation of brown colour precipitates indicated the
Phenolics:
To 1 ml of extract 0.25 ml of Folin-Ciocalten
reagent was added. Mixed well and kept at room temperature
for 10 min. Then added 0.5 ml of 20% sodium carbonate
(NaCO3). It was mixed well. Mixture was kept in a boiling
water bath for 20 min. at 40°C. Mixture was cooled down at
room temp. Appearance of blue colour confirmed the
presence of phenolics.
Carbohydrates:Molish’s Test:
To 0.5 ml plant extract few drops of 1-naphtol was
added. Then 0.2 ml conc. H2SO4 was added slowly along the
sides of the test-tube. A reddish-violet ring at the junction of
the two layers indicated the presence of carbohydrates.
Proteins:Bluret's Test:
To 2 ml of plant extract 1 drop of 2% CuSO4
Solution was added. Then 1 ml of 95% ethanol followed by
excess of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) pellets was added.
The development of pink colour indicated the presence of
proteins.
Terpenoids:
To 1 ml of the plant extract,2 ml chloroform
(CHCl3) and 0.5 ml conc. H2SO4 were added. The formation
of reddish-brown colour indicated the presence of terpenoid.
Anthocyanins:
To2 ml of plant extract, 2 ml 2N HCl and ammonia
were added. A pink-red colour turned into blue-violet and
indicates the presence of anthocyanins.
Steroids and Triterpenoids:
Salkowski's Test:
To0.5 ml of plant extract few drops of chloroform
were added. Then few drops of conc. H2SO4 were added. It
was mixed well and allowed to settle for some time. A red
colour appeared at the lower layer indicated the presence of
steroids. And the formation of yellow colour at the lower
layer indicates the presence of triterpenoids.
Quantitative Analysis of Phytochemicals:
Total Alkaloids:
One gm of dry leaf powder of C. roseus was in a
conical flask. 40 ml of 10% acetic acid in ethanol was added

into it and the mouth of that conical flask was covered with
an aluminium foil and allowed to shake for 4 hours on an
orbital shaker at room temp. Then the content was filtered
through the Whatman filter paper no. 1. This filtrate was
concentrated on a hot plate in crucibles to 1/4th
of the original
volume. The concentrated extract was cooled down at room
temperature and then concentrated ammonia hydroxide
(NH40H) was added drop-wise until precipitation was
completed. Whole solution was allowed to settle at room
temp. The precipitates were washed with 1N ammonium
hydroxide through the pre-weighed Whatman filter paper
no.1. The residues obtained on the filter paper were air dried
and weighed. The percentage of alkaloid content in the leaf
extract was calculated using the following formula:
wt. of filter paper with dried content –
wt. of empty filter paper
% Alkaloid = --------------------------------------------------×100
Initial wt. of dried powder
Total Cardiac Glycosides:
In 100 ml of Erlenmeyer flasks 2 gm of dried plant
powder was taken. Then 20 ml of 70% ethanol was added.
Erlenmeyer flasks was covered with aluminium foil and
placed on an orbital shaker at 200 rpm for 24 hours at room
temperature. The content was then filtered through the
Whatman paper no. 1.The final volume of the filtrate was
made upto 20 ml with 70% ethanol. In this extract 4 ml of
lead acetate (12.5%) was added and was kept on an orbital
shaker at 200 rpm for 10 minutes. Then, 1 ml of disodium
hydrogen phosphate (4.77%) was added to precipitate the
excess pb++ ions. The resultant mixture was filtered through
Whatman filter paper no. 1 to get a clear filtrate. Now
filtrates were taken in pre-weighed crucibles and heated on a
hot plate at 40°C till the solvent was completely evaporated.
The dried extracts with crucible was weighed and the
percentage of cardiac glycosides was calculated using the
following formula:
wt. of crucible with dried content–
wt. of empty crucible
% Cardiac Glycosides = ------------------------------------ × 100
Initial wt. of dried powder
Total Phenolics:
The 0.5 µl of methanolic leaf extract was taken in a
test tube. In parallel, to the leaf extract sample, the standard
gallic acid solution (1 mg/ml) in methanol was also taken at
different concentrations viz. 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 µl. One
blank tube with only methanol was also taken. The final
volume was maintained at 1 ml in all the test tubes by adding
methanol. In all the tubes 500 µl Folic-Ciocalten reagent
was added followed by addition of 7.5 ml of RO. Tubes were
shaken gently and were kept at room temperature for 10 min.
Then 10 ml of 20% sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) was added.
All the tubes were mixed well and then kept in a water-bath
for 20 minutes at 40℃. Then all the test-tubes were allowed
to cool down at room temp. There was a colour development
in all the tubes except in blank. Optical density (OD) was
taken at 755 nm wavelength in UV-Visible
Spectrophotometer. With the OD values of different
concentrations of gallic acid, the standard curve was
prepared, that was used to calculate the total phenolics in the
leaf extract.
Total Flavonoids:
One mg rutin /ml methanol was used to prepare the
standard concentrations viz., 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 µl. In
parallel to the standard tubes, the C. roseus leaf extract 250
µl, was also taken in a separate tube. One blank tube with
only methanol was taken. The final volume in all the tubes
were maintained at 1 ml with methanol. 4 ml of RO water
was added in each tube followed by 0.3 ml of 5% NaNO2
was added. All tubes were shaken to mix its content well and
then 0.3 ml of NaOH was added and 2.4 ml RO water as
well. After thorough mixing all the tubes were kept for few
minutes to settle. There was a colour development. Then
absorbance (OD) was recorded using UV-Visible
spectrophotometer at 510 nm of wavelength. With the OD
values of different conc. of rutin, the standard curve was
prepared which was used to calculate the total flavonoids in
the leaf extract.
Total Proanthocyanidines:
Three mg rutin / 3 ml methanol was used to prepare
the standard concentrations viz., 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000
µl. In parallel to the standard tubes, the C. roseusleaf extract
200 µl, was also taken in separate tube. One blank tube with
only methanol was taken. The final volume in all the tubes
was maintained at 1 ml with methanol. Then 3 ml of 4 %
vanillin methanol (V/V) followed by 1.5 ml of HCl was
added in each test-tube. All test-tubes were mixed well. Then
test-tubes were allowed to stand for 15 minutes at room
temperature. After settling down, absorbance (OD) readings
were recorded using UV-Visible spectrophotometer at 500
nm wavelength.
Total Protein (Lowry's method):
Reagents required:
BSA Stock solution (1 mg/ml ethanol)
a. Analytical Reagents :
50 ml of 2% sodium carbonate mixed with 50 ml of
0.1 N NaOH solution (0.4 gm in 100 ml distilled water) 10
ml of 1.56% copper sulphate mixed with 10 ml of 2.37 %
sodium potassium tartrate solution. Prepare analytical
reagents by mixing 2 ml of (b) with 100 ml of (a).
Folin-Ciocalteau reagent solution (1N) dilute
commercial reagent (2N) with an equal volume of water on
the day of use. (2 ml commercial reagent + 2 ml distilled
water).
Procedure:
Different dilutions of BSA solutions (0.1, 0.2, 0.3,
0.4, 0.5 mg) were prepared from the stock BSA solution
(1mg/ml). The final volume made upto 1 ml with 70%
ethanol. In parallel, 1 ml of our each sample was also taken

in triplicate. Blank tube contained only ethanol. Then 2 ml
of alkaline copper sulphate was added into all the tubes
(BSA standard and test samples). The solutions were mixed
well and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes. After
that, 0.2 ml of Folin-Ciocalteau reagent was added to each
test tube and incubated for 30 minutes in dark. A blue colour
was developed. The absorbance was taken at 660 nm. The
standard linear exponential curve for the BSA concentrations
was prepared and calculations for the total protein per gram
of the plant leaf material was done.
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
TLC was carried out to isolate the principle
components that were present in the methanolic extracts of
both the plants. Different solvent systems of different
polarities were prepared and TLC studies were carried out to
select the best solvent system capable of showing better
resolution. The methanolic extracts of both the plants were
applied on pre-coated TLC plates by using capillary tubes
and allowed to run a glass chamber that contained the mobile
solvent system. After completed the run, the TLC plates were
air dried and observed under different wavelengths viz., 254
nm, 366nm and white light in CAMAG Reprostar
Instrument. TLC plates were sprayed with suitable spraying
reagents to get the intense band colours of different
compounds present in the extracts.
Anti-microbial Activity
The following microorganisms obtained from
LCRD were tested for anti-microbial activities:
Fungus:
Penicillium bravicompactum, Aspergillus niger,
Rhizopus
Bacteria:
Pseudomonas arogenosa, Pseudomonas sp.,
Escherichia coli
Yeast:
Schizoscharomisis pombe
Preparation of Microbial Inoculum:
The glycerol stock cultures of these microorganisms
were maintained at -80°C. Working cultures were stored at 4
°C and were regularly sub-cultured. To prepare the inoculum
of microorganisms, a loopful of working culture was
transferred into 5 ml of sterilized LB medium (for bacteria)
and PDA medium (for fungi) and Nutrient medium (for
yeast) and allowed to incubate on an orbital shaker. Bacteria
were incubated at 37°C for overnight, whereas fungi and
yeast cultures were incubated at room temperature (~ 30°C)
for 2-3 days.
Well Diffusion Method [4]:
Media selected:Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) for
Fungi; Mueller Hinton Agar (MHA) for Bacteria and Yeast
Procedure:
Both the media were prepared as per the instructions
given on the box. Media as well as the glass petriplates were
autoclaved at 121ºC and 15 Ib pressure for 20 minutes. After
autoclaving, the molten media was poured into the sterile
glass petriplates inside the LAF chamber and allowed to
solidify. Inside laminar air flow, the 25 ml sterile media was
poured in sterile Petri plates (90 mm) and allow them to cool
to solidify the media. 100 µl of the homogenous spore
suspension of fungi, bacteria and yeast were spread on to the
respective media with the help of a sterile glass spreader.
Precaution was taken while inoculating the suspension
cultures that all cells were evenly spread all over the media
plates. A small well was made in the centre of each plate by
using sterile borer. Each well was about 6 mm diameter. All
wells were filled with 100 µl ofC. roseus leaf methanolic
extract and the methanol was also filled in one plate of each
respective media as a negative control. All plates were kept
inside the laminar air flow chamber for about one hour so as
to diffuse the extract into the surrounding media. When
extract was completely diffused, then all media plates were
sealed with parafilm. Fungi inoculated PDA media plates
were kept at 30-35o
C and bacteria as well as yeast inoculated
NB media plates were kept at 37o
C for incubation. Formation
of zone of inhibition was observed from one to five days of
inoculation. The experiment was performed in triplicates.
The inhibition zone was calculated as mean (n＝3).
Anti-oxidant Activity (DPPH radical-scavenging assay):
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical
scavenging reagent was used for the determination of
antioxidant activity of C. roseus methanolic extracts. DPPH
free radical scavenging capacity ofC. roseusextract was
evaluated according to the protocol of [5] with some minor
modifications. 0.1mM solution of DPPH was prepared in
methanol. Ascorbic acid was taken as a positive control. The
concentrations of ascorbic acid used were; 20 µg/ml, 50
µg/ml, 100 µg/ml. 100 µl methanolic extract ofC. roseus leaf
was mixed with 100 µl DPPH solution and incubated in the
dark for 30 minutes. Then absorbance was taken at 517 nm.
Blank sample contain methanol with other ingredients except
the plant extract. The experiments was performed in
triplicate. Blank was also considered as the negative control
and ascorbic acid concentrations were considered as the
positive controls in the experiment. A low absorbance of the
reaction mixture showed higher radical scavenging activity.
The free radical scavenging effect (%) was calculated by
using the following formula:
Absorbance of control−
Absorbance of Sample
DPPH Scavenging Activity (%) = ------------------------- x 100
Absorbance of Control
The percentage of scavenging effect (%) was
plotted for the ascorbic acid and C. roseus methanolic leaf
extract to calculate the IC50 values. IC50 value is the
concentration that is required for scavenging 50% of the
DPPH.

III. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Qualitative Screening of Secondary Metabolites
The results of the phytochemical analysis of leaves
of C. roseus is given in table 1. The medicinal value of this
plant lies in some chemical substances that have a definite
physiological action on human body. Results showed that the
most important polar compound of these bioactive
constituents of the plants are saponin, proanthocyanin,
alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, Irioides, protein,
terpenoids and anthocyanins present in the polar solvent i.e.,
methanolicextract of leaves. But the compounds like tannins,
phenolics and steroids are not present in the methanolic
extracts may be because of their polarity difference.
Table 1: Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves.
Sr.
No.
Phytochemicals Test Indicator
1.
Saponin
+
2.
Tannins
-
3.
Proanthocyanin
+
4. i.
Alkaloids
Mayer's +
4. ii. Wagner's +
4. iii Trim-Hill +
4.
iv.
Dragendorff's +
5. i
Cardiac Glycosides
Kellar-Killani's +
5. ii. NaOH +
6.
Flavonoids
+
7.
Phenolics
-
8.
Irioides
+
9.
Carbohydrates
Molish’s -
10.
Protein
Bluret’s +
11.
Terpenoids
+
12.
Steroids
Salkowski's -
13.
Anthocyanins
+
Quantitative Estimation of Primary and Secondary
Metabolites:
The dry leaves of C. roseus were extracted in
methanol and analysed for the presence of primary and
secondary metabolites. Fig. 1a shows the percentage
estimation of cardiac glycosides and alkaloids per gram of
the leaf samples which was 25 % and 45 %respectively and
fig. 1b shows the concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids,
proanthocyanidines and protein in mg per gram pf the leaf
samples.

Fig. 1: Quantitative analysis of phytochemicals present in the methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves. (a) cardiac glycosides and
alkaloids and (b) phenolics, flavonoids, proanthocyanidines, protein.
Since the plant is well known for the anti-cancerous
properties, therefore, the leaf extract is rich in alkaloids and
phenolics in comparison to other secondary metabolites.
Almost all anticancer compounds are chemically alkaloids
and phenolics groups. Table 2 shows the antimicrobial
activity of the leaf extract. Methanolic extract shows the
inhibition of E. coli when treated with leaf extract for 16
hours at 37 O
C (Fig. 3). Rest of the other microbes shows no
inhibition of growth while treated with leaf extract.
Table 2: Zone of inhibition of microorganisms treated with methanolic extract of C. roseusleaves.
Sr. No. Microorganism Action Diameter (cm)
1. Pseudomonas aeruginosa No --
2. Pseudomonas sp. No --
3. Schizosaccharomyces pombe No --
4. Escherichia coli Yes 1.1
5. Aspergillus niger No --
6. Penicillium bravicompactum No --
Fig. 3: Escherichia coliculture plates showing zone of inhibition
Cardiac Glycosides Alkaloids
50
40
(%) 30
20
10
0
a
0
2
4
6
mg/gm
b

For further analysis, thin layer chromatography
(TLC) technique was employed. Three different mobile
phases were used to run the 5 µl methanolic leaf extract and
their Rf values were calculated (Fig. 4). Table 5 shows the Rf
valuesof the compounds observed on three TLC plates.
Table 5: Rf values of methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves calculated after TLC.
Sr. No. Plate number Compounds Mobile Phase Rf Value
1.
1 Saponin
Ethyl acetate : Ethanol :
Water : Ammonia
(6.5:2.5:0.9:0.1)
0.4166
2. 0.5833
3. 2 Anthocyanidines
Ethyl acetate : Glacial acetic
acid : Water : Formic acid
( 10.0:1.1:1.1:2.6)
0.8285
4. 3 Tannins
Chloroform : Ethyl acetate :
Ethanol (6:4:4)
6811
Plate 1 Plate 2 Plate 3
Fig. 4: TLC plates showing bands of secondary metabolites
present in C. roseus leaves extract.
The methanolic leaf extract of the C. roseus were
undergo for the analysis of percentage scavenging by DPPH.
Ascorbic acid was used as a standard to compare the result.
Our results confirmed that the plant exhibit the antioxidant
properties (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5: Percentage scavenging by DPPH with ascorbic acid
and methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves.
The plant possesses various medicinal properties
due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. To
determine the functional groups of the compounds present
the leaf extract, the FTIR assay was done using methanolic
leaf extract. Fig 6 shows the cardiogram of the FTIR assay
and table 6 shows the range of peaks that resembles a
specific functional group compounds present in the extract.
Fig. 6: FTIR assay of methanolic extract of C. roseus leaves.
0
20
40
60
80
Ascorbic acid C. roseus extract
%Scavenging

Table 6: Secondary metabolites functional groups present in the C. roseus leaves.
Sr. No. Range Strength Area Functional Group
1 3000-2950 Strong Broad N-H
2 2650-2600 Weak Slightly broad S-H
3 2350-2300 Strong Sharp O=C=O
4 2250-2200 Weak Slightly broad C≡C
5 2100-2050 Weak Slightly broad C≡C
6 1700-1650 Strong Slightly broad C=O
7 1450-1400 Medium Sharp C-H
8 1100-1050 Strong Sharp C-O
9 700-650 Strong Broad C=C
FTIR results indicated the presence of amine (3000-
2950 N-H), aldehyde (2350-230 O=C=O), alkyne (250-2200
and 2100-2050), ketone (1700-1650 C=O), hydrocarbons
(1450-1400 C-H) and alkene (700-650 C=C) groups present
in the leaf extract.
IV. CONCLUSION
C. roseus is an important medicinal plant with a wide
range of uses. The dried plant leaf extract contain many
alkaloids of medicinal use. The plant has been proven useful
not only in the field of medicine but has also been recently
put into use for the phytoremediation heavy metal waste. The
leaves of this plant have been found to be of immense
medicinal use as most of the pharmacological activities of
this plant are attributed to its leaves. So the cultivation as
well as the conservation of this plant must be promoted on a
large scale. The methods that are less time consuming,
sustainable and more economical, must be developed and
adopted for the production of the active constituents present
in this plant. In the present times, when the emphasis is being
placed on the use of natural materials in the control and
treatment of various diseases and infections because of the
undesirable side effects of synthetic drugs there is a need for
further research especially on the bioactive compounds, their
production from alternative sources, methods for increasing
their production, herbal remedies, effectiveness of plants for
various uses and bioprospecting new sources of natural
bioactive products which can provide unlimited scope for the
development of new drug need to be explored for their huge
potential of being used as the sources of pharmacologically
active therapeutic lead compounds.
REFERENCES
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Maqsood, M.A. Bhat, S.A. Nasim, A. Ilah, I.Z. Ahmed, S.A.
Khan, A. Mujib & M.P. Sharma. (2010). Catharanthus
Roseus (L.) G. Don an Important Drug: Its Applications and
Production. Pharma Globale, 4(12), 1-16.
[2] C. Abdul Jaleel, R. Gopi, B. Sankar, P. Manivannan, A.
Kishorekumar, R. Sridharan & R. Panneerselvam (2007).
Studies on Germination, Seedling Vigour, Lipid Peroxidation
and Proline Metabolism in Catharanthus Roseus Seedlings
Under Salt Stress. South African Journal of Botany, 73(2),
190-195.
[3] S.S. Maithili & C. Mekala. (2014). Preliminary
Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activities of
Methanolic Extract of Catharanthus Roseus Leaves Against
Pathogenic Strains. World Journal of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Sciences 4(1), 934-944.
[4] J.R. Hood, J.M. Wilkinson & H.M.A. Cavanagh. (2003).
Evaluation of Common Antibacterial Screening Methods
Utilized in Essential Oils Research. Journal of Essential Oil
Research, 15(6), 428-433.
[5] W. Brand-Williams, M.E. Cuvelier & C. Berset. (1995)
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Phytochemical Analysis of Catharanthus Roseus L. (G.) DON.

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